Growing Wings

I was weak before, now you made me so numb

Like the coldest winter, I am frozen from you.

- Pink, Numb

Growing Wings

~~

Hermione had searched for over 2 hours, without finding any book that mentioned the Alliptonites. Hermione plopped down into a chair with folded arms, and leaned on the desk. She laid her head down on her arms and started to think about where she could find more information when Harry walked up to her desk and sat down across from her. He let out a low breath before asking her, "Find anything?"

Hermione looked up at him and slightly shook her head and asked, "What about you? Even a little hint of them?"

"No."

"This is so confusing." Just then Hermione saw Ron walking up behind them. He arrived at their table and said, "Oi, Hermione, whatever happened to your back itching? Did Madame Pomfrey give you a cream?"

Hermione didn't know what to say. What would he do if she told him she was growing wings? Call her a freak? Faint? Run off without saying a word? She decided now was a time to lie, until she found a better place to tell him the truth.

"Yeah, she gave me a cream. It stopped the second it touch my wi...ahh... I mean back." She gave him a fake smile. Oh God, that was so close! Ron gave her a weird look but shrugged it off, figuring she was just tripping over her tongue. "At least it doesn't itch, right?"

She nodded.

"Well mates, I'm off to search for that sleeping draught Professor Snape assigned us. I'm a bit far behind," he said.

"Wow, Ron. I think that's the first and only time I'll ever hear YOU say you want to study," Hermione said with a little giggle.

"Ha, ha," Ron ground out sarcastically. He turned and headed for the other aisle of books. Harry, who seemed confused by Hermione's answer to Ron, asked, "Why didn't you tell him?"

Hermione fixed her gaze on her green eyed, confused-looking friend. She bit her lip and repeated the question in her mind. Why hadn't she told him? Was she ever going to tell anyone?

"I... I...Panicked," was all she could manage to say. There was a small pause, then Harry smiled and nodded his head in understanding.

"You won't tell anyone, will you Harry?"

"No, I promise."

Her expression changed to one of relief and smiled.

"Thanks," she said, her voice coming out soft and small.

~~

Once she was back in her dormitory, Hermione grabbed her hand mirror and bewitched it to reflect her back. They grow quite rapidly, I can see the tips already, and it's only been 2 days. She felt the tears returning into her eyes but held them back. She put the mirror down and walked out of the dormitory, trotting down the steps to the common room and felt then her heart rising into her throat again. There, sitting on the couch, gazing into the fire was Harry.

I should tell him. He deserves to know. One problem though- I'm too afraid. She took in a deep breath and moved towards the table where, fortunately, lay her Transfiguration book. She decided she would casually pick it up, and say "Hi" to Harry. AHH! Why am I acting so paranoid? He's my best friend, not like some stranger! I shouldn't be this nervous! Besides, my planned casualness is looking rather mechanical, She thought. But that's what he does to me. She had been trying to come up with a plan to get Harry's attention when a sudden voice shook her out of her thoughts.

"Hermione," came Harry's voice. Dear God, give me the strength to keep me standing up if I get weak in the knees.

"Oh, sorry Harry I didn't see you."

"You were staring right at me." Hermione blushed at this. She walked to the couch Harry was occupying and sat down. Am I ever going to sit comfortably in a chair ever again?

"What's wrong, 'Mione?"

She looked up at him and smiled. Harry, clearly confused, shyly smiled back. Hermione looked down on the floor and said in a hoarse voice, "You."

Harry's face fell and he felt his heart give a little jump and asked, "Me? What's wrong with me?"

"Nothing, it's just..." she returned her gaze to him and his emerald eyes met her brown ones. Oh this is just too much. I should just do it already; the torture is going to kill me! She quickly leaned over and pressed her lips to his.